Изъяснение псалма 121-го.

"Song of Degrees". The Prophet adapted the psalms presented before this to those immersed in grief; the psalm, which is now in our hands, adapts it to those who have already received the good news of the return and have entered on the longed-for path; because, rejoicing and exulting, they say to each other: Ps.121:1. I rejoiced when they said to me: “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” “We rejoiced because they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” This is the voice of godliness; because they admire and rejoice not because they will regain their homes, but because they will see the house of God. Ps.121:2. Behold, our feet stand at your gates, O Jerusalem. “Our feet are standing in your courts in Jerusalem.” It seems to us, they say, that we are already standing in these holy courtyards and performing divine services. Ps.121:3. Jerusalem, built like a city merged into one. “Jerusalem was built like a city, and its communion is together.” And Symmachus translated it like this: Jerusalem being built as a city having unity; because now it is empty, has scattered houses, but will flourish again, will be continuously built up, and will take over the former fences. Ps.121:4. Wherever the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, according to the law of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. “Then the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, the testimony of Israel, to confess the name of the Lord.” Under Rehoboam, the tribes were divided, and ten fell away from the Davidic kingdom; upon their return, there was one government, and everyone flocked to Jerusalem, according to the law of God, to perform the usual service to God. Therefore, the Prophet here foretells that the tribes will regain their former unanimity and will flock to Jerusalem, as is their custom, to sing songs to God. The Prophet called “Testimony” God’s law, which clearly commands Israel to gather in the place that “the Lord God will choose” (Deut. 12:5). Ps.121:5. There are thrones of judgment, thrones of the house of David. “For when the thrones sat down for judgment, the thrones were in the house of David.” Having foreshadowed the divine, it also foretells the human. since in Jerusalem not only the church of God was built, but also a royal house, and everyone came there to resolve doubtful matters; then the Prophet, of necessity, predicted this too, namely, that the ten tribes would not go to Samaria, but, just as under David they had an indispensable judgment seat in Jerusalem, so upon their return everyone would gather there. Ps.121:6. Ask for peace for Jerusalem: may those who love you prosper! “Ask now about the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for those who love you.” And Symmachus translated this: love Jerusalem, those who love you will calm down, that is, having enjoyed deep peace, love being in Jerusalem; for those who love it will live in all contentment. Ps.121:7. May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces! “Be there peace in your strength, and abundance in your pillars.” And Symmachus translated this: let there be peace in your fence, silence in your royal palaces. The Divine David asks Jerusalem for these blessings, so that the fences and royal palaces and houses in it may enjoy all peace. Ps.121:8. For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors I say: “Peace be with you!” Ps.121:9. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I wish you well. “For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, peace be upon you.” “To the house for the sake of the Lord our God I will seek your good.” I ask you this, says the Prophet, not because I myself will live in you (how is this possible for me, who will end my life a long time before now?); but desiring that my fellow tribesmen should enjoy peace, and desiring that the house of my God should return to its former glory. You might be interested in: